Ex-Eagles coach, Stephen
Keshi dies at 54

Former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi early Wednesday died of cardiac arrest in Benin City, Edo state. The former international football captain who was billed to travel to US later today had lost his wife of 35 years, Kate, last year after a prolonged battle with cancer. According to a statement signed by his manager, Emmanuel Ado, “Stephen Keshi, CON has gone to be with his wife”. “With thanksgiving to God, the Ogbuenyi Fredrick Keshi family of Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, announces the death of Mr. Stephen Okechukwu Chinedu Keshi,” Ado wrote. “Our son, brother, father, father-in-law, brother- in-law, has gone to be with his wife of 35 years (Nkem), Mrs. Kate Keshi, who passed on on the 9th December 2015. “Since her death, Keshi has been in mourning. He came back to Nigeria to be with her. He had planned to fly back today Wednesday, before he suffered a cardiac arrest. He has found rest. “We thank God for his life. “We want to ask for understanding in this very difficult time for the family.” He Ais survived by four children and his mother. Nicknamed the “Big Boss” for his leadership skills, Keshi led Nigeria to win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 by becoming only the second person to win the trophy both as a player and a coach. The only other person to have achieved the feat is Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary. He also coached Togo and Nigeria at the World Cup, as well as Mali. A product of St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos, Keshi started his playing career at a very young age at ACB Football Club, and later played for New Nigeria Bank, Stade d’Abidjan, Africa Sports, Lokeren, Anderlecht, RC Strasbourg, and a host of other clubs. He represented Nigeria from 1982, at age 20, till 1994, most of the time captaining the Super Eagles and scoring vital goals from his position as a central defender.